Do you want to know how to get your Wisconsin FFL? Are you overwhelmed by the seemingly heavy-handed government regulations and confusing laws and rules about being an FFL in Wisconsin? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone!
There are a lot of gun owners in Wisconsin, and so it should come as no surprise that there are a lot of FFLs to meet their needs. In fact, there are more than 2,800 of them! While the Wisconsin government may be kind to gun owners and gun businesses, the same cannot always be said for the federal government. That means you have to tread carefully when getting your Wisconsin FFL and you need to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row in order to get into – and stay in – business.
That’s where we come in. FFL123 is here to make sure you can get that Wisconsin FFL you want and deserve!
Wisconsin is a wonderful place to be an FFL! While the population is somewhat small, gun ownership is very popular and common. There are plenty of places to set up business with your Wisconsin FFL, and it is a fantastic state to have a home based FFL.
Wisconsin has very few limits on NFA items as well. Other than some odd machine gun rules, a Wisconsin FFL licensed to sell NFA items can sell pretty much anything they want. This includes the ever growing market for silencers, which can be a fantastic.
Ready to get your Wisconsin FFL? Great! Let’s look at the simple steps you need to get it.
The very simple answer is: yes. If you plan on running a business that deals with firearms, you need to have an FFL. This isn’t a state requirement, but rather a Federal requirement. Speaking of which…
The ATF has pretty basic requirements to get an FFL. So basic, in fact, we’ll only glance at them.
To get an FFL, the ATF requires that you be a law-abiding US citizen or a permanent resident over 21 years of age who can legally own a firearm. Pretty simple stuff, really. The paperwork is annoying, and you have to demonstrate you are planning to operate a business, but that’s not too hard.
What is hard for would-be Wisconsin FFL holders is that the ATF also requires that you have all appropriate state and local licenses before you can be in business. And that is where the “fun” starts…
Once you meet the federal requirements, it’s time to make sure you meet the state ones next.
Wisconsin makes it very easy to get an FFL, because there are no state specific firearms licenses. While some states require a redundant sort of “state issued FFL” Wisconsin only requires you to get regular business licenses.
While there are no state level gun dealer licenses, you must still be successfully licensed with the state and the local area you are doing business in. You also have to operate in a correctly zoned area that matches the type of business you are doing.
Wisconsin FFL holders do have to register their business with the state, but it is a very cut and dried process that is also totally free.
Yes, you must be registered with the state as some kind of business to get an FFL in Wisconsin. While there are no state-level gun dealer licenses in Wisconsin, you must still be successfully licensed with the state and the local area in which you are doing business. You also have to operate in a correctly zoned area that matches the type of business you are doing.
First, you need to get a state business license. This is a pretty cut and dry process and even largely automatic as long as you pay the licensing fees. Now is a good time to decide if you are setting up as a corporation or not. We suggest doing business as an LLC or other corporation to limit personal liability.
Wisconsin doesn’t have any additional licenses for FFLs, but they do require all FFLs to call the Crime Information Bureau (CIB) – Handgun Hotline before each transfer of a handgun.
The CIB has 5 business days to complete the background check, and the FFL gets a “call confirmation number” to verify that the check was initiated. Dealers are then given an approval or denial number for the transfer based on the determined eligibility or non-eligibility of the potential buyer.
Next, it’s time to get your local business licenses. Cities and counties may also require a business license. Again, this should be pretty cut and dry.
Make sure you are properly zoned for the kind of business you plan on doing. In most places, a home-based FFL should be possible. Type 07 FFLs that engage in more than the lightest of manufacturing probably won’t be possible in residential areas.
Wisconsin is fairly pro-gun, so that’s good news. That’s not to say, however, that you won’t possibly run into some minor hiccups with local authorities. Still, this shouldn’t be too big of a deal and should be able to be resolved rather easily.
If for some reason, you encounter a snag, FFL123 is here to help. Our members are provided access to private forums with other FFL dealers just like you, as well as members-only resources to help you navigate these waters.
Wisconsin has a lot of small towns and rural areas with less restrictive zoning regulations than developed population centers. That means if you want to get a home based FFL in Wisconsin, it should be pretty easy.
As you can see, you cannot get your Wisconsin FFL until you are licensed to do business at the location you choose. Both the ATF and the State of Wisconsin require that you be properly licensed locally before you can do business.
It is impossible to describe all the possible local problems getting a business license in Wisconsin for your FFL. Typically your biggest issue will be zoning. If you are in town that’s usually pretty cut and dried. If you are trying to set up a home based FFL, you need to make sure that you can get a zoning variance for the kind of business you are trying to operate.
To get your Wisconsin FFL, you’ll likely mostly have to satisfy the ATF that you’ve done your homework. Local business licenses shouldn’t be a problem, but there is always the chance that local offices could try and hold you up.
On the Federal level, it costs between $30-$200 to get an FFL for the first three years. Each license type’s cost varies due to the different responsibilities they allow the licensee to perform. There are different kinds of licenses for selling a few handguns versus handling or making NFA items.
There are also other costs associated with Wisconsin state and local licenses. Because of the wide variety of localities and their different policies and procedures, it’s best to check directly with your local government to find out how much they charge for business licenses, etc.
Starting a Business in Wisconsin: All of your state-specific business questions can be answered here.
Wisconsin Justice Department Firearms Unit: FFLs in Wisconsin can use this site to handle firearms sales.
How to Become a Federal Firearms Licensee in 10 Easy Steps: This is the ATF’s own guide to getting your FFL.
US Code § 923: Federal US Code § 923 covers regulations for the import, manufacture, and dealing of firearms and ammunition. This is the law that requires firearms businesses to get an FFL.
US CFR § 478.47 – Issuance of License: This explains how a Federal Firearms License is issued, including who must assign the license number. It requires the ATF to qualify applicants based on a predetermined list of requirements and to issue Federal Firearms Licenses. If a correct FFL application has been submitted, the Chief of the Federal Firearms Licensing Center must issue the license and assign a serial number to the licensee.
Gun Control Act (GCA): The GCA of 1968 established stricter laws on the firearms industry than were already present in the NFA of 1934. This included new regulations regarding firearms offenses, firearms/ammunition sales to “prohibited persons,” and federal jurisdiction for “destructive devices” (bombs, grenades, mines, etc.) These are just some of the things that were created with the GCA.
Truth be told, we’d like a world where any law-abiding American could easily get into the gun business. But we don’t live in that world. We know this, and so does our staff of industry insiders and legal experts. FFL123 has assembled a staff that is dedicated to helping our customers cut through the red tape of getting an FFL.
When you purchase an FFL123 guide,
you aren’t just buying a comprehensive step-by-step guide to applying for an FFL. You are also getting decades of combined industry and legal experience that is there when you need it the most.
Every FFL123 customer is entitled to direct, one-on-one customer support for their specific problems in getting an FFL. We specialize in helping people understand and navigate complex local zoning issues, as this is where most problems with getting your Wisconsin FFL will occur.
In other words, when you do business with FFL123, we back you up until you get your FFL. In fact, we go beyond that, and keep backing you up for as long as you are in business! Our customers get ongoing support for everything from finding suppliers to keeping abreast with the latest changes in gun laws and regulations.
With just a couple of easy clicks, you can start your journey to your Wisconsin FFL today. Rest easy knowing that you aren’t cast adrift with confusing federal and state paperwork, or left alone to figure out how to fill out and file seemingly conflicting forms. FFL123 is here for you along your entire journey from choosing the FFL that’s right for you, to your first day of business and everything in between.
Are you ready to get your Wisconsin FFL? Choose the guide that is right for you. Not sure which one you need? No problem! Just ask and we’ll help you with that too. What are you waiting for? The sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy all the benefits of an FFL!
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Find the latest list of Wisconsin gun dealer’s name, email id, phone number and address. You can easily contact the gun dealers. Click here to see class 3 gun dealers in Wisconsin.